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97/100 The Wine Advocate, 01 Dec 2022
95/100 JamesSuckling.com, 25 Feb 2022
The 2020 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec is one of Argentina’s most celebrated single-vineyard Malbecs, showcasing extraordinary minerality, precision, and high-altitude elegance. Produced by Catena Zapata, this iconic wine originates from a tiny parcel within the famed Adrianna Vineyard in Mendoza, often regarded as the “Grand Cru” vineyard of South America.
The “River Stones” parcel is named after its unique soil composition, filled with large white stones and limestone deposits that contribute remarkable tension, freshness, and mineral character to the wine. Situated at nearly 1,500 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Andes, Adrianna Vineyard experiences intense sunlight, cool nights, and a long growing season, producing fruit of exceptional concentration and aromatic complexity.
The 2020 vintage delivered superb balance and purity, allowing the vineyard’s distinct terroir to shine with clarity and finesse. Fruit was hand-harvested and carefully sorted before fermentation with gentle extraction to preserve precision and structural detail. Maturation in French oak barrels enhanced texture and integration while maintaining the wine’s strong sense of place.
The wine opens with intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry layered with notes of crushed stone, violet, graphite, lavender, and subtle spice. The palate is powerful yet beautifully refined, with concentrated dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and finely textured tannins that build toward an exceptionally long, mineral-driven finish.
Still youthful and tightly structured, the 2020 River Stones Malbec will reward patient cellaring over 15–25+ years, evolving greater savoury complexity and tertiary nuance with age. Decanting is highly recommended if enjoyed young.
A world-class Malbec and one of the purest expressions of Adrianna Vineyard’s extraordinary limestone terroir.
